Thanks to franchises like Resident Evil and The Walking Dead, the idea of dead people reanimating and craving the taste of human flesh has somehow become a part of the public consciousness. And from that, more and more people are starting to wonder if they would be able to survive the zombie apocalypse should such a scenario really happen in the real world.

Normally, we talk about how you can lead a smarter life when it comes to more everyday situations, but what about leading a smarter life when you are surrounded by undead zombies at every turn? That’s why I’ve gathered together a collection of great gadgets that are particularly well-suited for the zombie apocalypse, given that you’ll likely need some protection, there will be a shortage of electricity, and you need gadgets that can handle some rather rough treatment.

Hybrid Light 120 Lumens Solar Flashlight

Hybrid Light HL120

Zombies can lay dormant and silent for hours, days, and even weeks on end. You don’t want to walk into a darkened room, only to discover too late that there’s a zombie lurking in the corner. With the Hybrid Light HL120, you get a super bright flash light (120 lumens) that can comfortably charge up in the sun. Leave it out during the day and you’ll can be illuminated at night. It’s waterproof and durable too.

FreeLoader Portable Solar Charger

ThinkGeek FreeLoader Solar Charger

Sticking with the theme of solar-powered things, we have the FreeLoader from ThinkGeek. It’s a solar charger than you can then use to charge a wide range of electrical gadgets. It comes with 9 different adapter tips and a USB master cable, so everything from an iPod to a PSP can get some much needed juice. The 1200mAh internal battery should be enough to keep you going in a pinch. It’d be great for that portable GPS of yours too.

BodyGuard Armored StunGun Glove

BodyGuard 30,000 Volt Stungun Gauntlet

If you want to survive the zombie apocalypse, you need to be able to defend yourself. Sure, you could use a baseball bat or an axe, but it just seems so much more interesting to consider the BodyGuard instead. This is a StunGun glove that wraps to the upper half of your arm and it’s able to deliver 300,000 volts of power. Since it envelopes your arm, this is a weapon that you can’t drop either.

Caterpillar CAT B10 Rugged Smartphone

CAT B10 Android Smartphone

Sure, your Samsung Galaxy or Motorola DROID might be a great smartphone under regular circumstances, but when your life is constantly in danger, you want something a little tougher. The Caterpillar CAT B10 is a Android smartphone that adheres the IP67 specification for ruggedness. It’s covered in rubber and has strengthened glass for its 3.2-inch screen. Go ahead and smash things with it; you’ll still be able to play Angry Birds with it afterward.

Wicked Lasers Spyder 3 Krypton

Krypton Green Laser Pointer

Staying in contact with your group is critical and sometimes regular laser pointers won’t do. The Spyder 3 Krypton from Wicked Lasers is far more intense, far more powerful, and — while this probably isn’t all that helpful — its beams are even visible from outer space. The chassis is virtually indestructible and the laser beam itself can actually be used to burn through things. Choose between Arctic Blue and Krypton Green.

Voltaic OffGrid Solar Backpack

OffGrid Solar Backpack

Chances are that you’ll be traveling around with your gear during the zombie apocalypse, so having a good backpack is probably going to be pretty useful. Taking it one notch higher is the OffGrid Solar Backpack from Voltaic. As you can quite plainly see, it comes with an integrated solar panel. You can then use it to charge your various devices; you can even detach the charging station as needed. I think Glenn from The Walking Dead would like this.

Cardsharp 2

Iain Sinclair's CardSharp2

You’ll need to cut things. You may run into the situation where you need to stab a zombie, but even more day-to-day tasks require a sharp knife. The CardSharp2 from Iain Sinclair is interesting, in this regard, because it can be folded up into a credit card when not in use. It’s slimmer and lighter than an ordinary knife and thanks to the safety lock and protective sheath, it’s safer too.

Getac V200 Fully Rugged Convertible Notebook

Getac Rugged Tablet-Notebook Hybrid

Your regular laptop is likely going to have a hard time surviving the rough and tumble circumstances of a zombie-infested world, so you need something tougher. The Getac V200 is a fully rugged notebook that can convert into a tablet with a 12.1-inch touchscreen display. It has IP65 / MIL-STD 810G certifications to go along with its Core i7 processor, sunlight-readable display, backlit keyboard, and a glove-friendly multi-touch display.

Yamaha Inverter EF2000iS Power Generator

Yamaha Power Generator

Having various gadgets to survive the zombie apocalypse is nice and all, but they need some source of electricity. There’s a distinct possibility that your utility company is going to get overrun with zombies, so simply plugging into the wall might not work. You might need something like the Yamaha Inverter EF2000iS. This power generator runs on gasoline and converts it into electricity. It’s compact at 2.2 cubic feet, so it should be easy to lug around too.

Flame Engineering Red Dragon Jet Torch Kit

Red Dragon Flamethrower

Killing one zombie at a time can leave you vulnerable when the horde descends upon your group. Take them out in huge swaths with the Red Dragon Jet Torch Kit from Flame Engineering. As you can imagine, this is one massive flame thrower. It was originally designed to clear out heavy weeds and hard to reach brush, but you can see how useful it would be to survive the zombie apocalypse too. Ever play Left 4 Dead and get surrounded by a horde of the undead? This would probably help.

Assault Rifle with Chainsaw

DoubleStar Zombie-X AK-47

Okay, this last gadget is a little far-fetched, but so are the realistic chances of a zombie apocalypse. It’s called the DoubleStar Zombie-X AK-47 and it’s purpose-built to mow down the hordes of the undead. It started its life as a standard issue AK-47, but then it gained a battery-charged chainsaw and a biohazard-themed sight. Who said you couldn’t survive the zombie apocalypse in style?

A freelance writer and professional blogger based out of Vancouver, Canada, Michael Kwan focuses primarily in the areas of consumer electronics, entrepreneurship, and personal development. He blogs six times a week at Beyond the Rhetoric. Follow him on Twitter: @michaelkwan